Are plug in hybrid vehicles planning to include a solar panel for their roof?
If a solar panel could be carried in the trunk of a vehicle and was placed on the roof once we arrived at our sunny 20-40 mile destination and we stayed there for several hours or a complete work day, it seems it could be locked in place to avoid theft and make at least a partial charge for the drive home. If this is reasonable, what would be the minimum kw panel needed to avoid having to use any fuel?
One is. Aptera is making an EV and plug-in hybrid which will have a solar panel on the roof.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-01-10-aptera_N.htm
http://aptera.com/
Also the ZAP-X EV is supposed to have nano solar cells in its windows.
http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles
And the ZAP Xebra Xero has a solar panel on top.
http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-xero-truck
And you can modify current hybrids to add a solar panel to the roof.
http://4wheelsblog.com/prototypes/solar-power-option-for-toyota-prius
But I don’t think the major auto companies (i.e. Chevy Volt) are planning on putting solar panels on their plug-ins.
Solar Electrical Vehicles specializing in adding a convex solar roof to hybrid cars. The solar modules are rated at 200-300 watts, and this power is utilized to charge a supplemental battery. With the solar roof, the Toyota Prius can operate up to 20 miles per day in electric mode
http://www.batteryvehiclesociety.org.uk/wordpress/?p=121
also see http://solarvan.co.uk/
but generally it is more efficient to have a home based system that can be optimised for size and direction/shading and avoid carrying the extra weight around; Tesla http://www.teslamotors.com offer such a service
Tobe efficient, you would need about 4KW of panels. That wuld be as many square feet as the wings of a small sized airplane. Not appropriate.
i think between size cost and possibility of dammaged to it it is highly unlikely